Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico
Coastal resilience has become a pressing global issue due to the growing vulnerability of coastlines to the effects of climate change. Nature-based solutions have emerged as a promising approach to coastal protection to not only enhance coastal resilience, but also restore critical ecosystems. Coral...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1528460/full |
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| author | Ramin Familkhalili Ramin Familkhalili Curt D. Storlazzi Michael Nemeth Shay Viehman |
| author_facet | Ramin Familkhalili Ramin Familkhalili Curt D. Storlazzi Michael Nemeth Shay Viehman |
| author_sort | Ramin Familkhalili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coastal resilience has become a pressing global issue due to the growing vulnerability of coastlines to the effects of climate change. Nature-based solutions have emerged as a promising approach to coastal protection to not only enhance coastal resilience, but also restore critical ecosystems. Coral reef restoration has the potential to provide ecosystem services benefits; however, there are still key uncertainties in linking restoration design to reductions in coastal flood hazard under current and future climate conditions. In this study, we applied one-dimensional and two-dimensional numerical coastal engineering models, calibrated and validated using field data, to evaluate the effectiveness of coral restoration scenarios on coastal waves, water levels, and flooding along the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.A. Model results indicate a small reduction in maximum water levels under the proposed restoration scenarios. This underscores the importance of these endeavors, not only for ecological preservation but also for preventing further reef deterioration. Such preservation is essential for mitigating the increased coastal risks anticipated in the future. Results from this study provide information to guide policymakers and coastal managers in making informed decisions on viable restoration project design options. By systematically evaluating how restoration location impacts coastal flood hazards, communities can develop and implement proactive strategies to mitigate flood-related risk. In addition, by restoring coral reefs, communities can contribute to environmental preservation while ensuring sustainable development and protection of coastal environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ce015052ea954228baea22c06472ef98 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-ce015052ea954228baea22c06472ef982025-08-20T01:51:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452025-04-011210.3389/fmars.2025.15284601528460Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto RicoRamin Familkhalili0Ramin Familkhalili1Curt D. Storlazzi2Michael Nemeth3Shay Viehman4Consolidated Safety Services, Inc., Fairfax, VA, United StatesNational Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Beaufort, NC, United StatesU.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesEarth Resources Technology (ERT) Inc. Contractor, Restoration Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Aguadilla, Puerto RicoNational Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Beaufort, NC, United StatesCoastal resilience has become a pressing global issue due to the growing vulnerability of coastlines to the effects of climate change. Nature-based solutions have emerged as a promising approach to coastal protection to not only enhance coastal resilience, but also restore critical ecosystems. Coral reef restoration has the potential to provide ecosystem services benefits; however, there are still key uncertainties in linking restoration design to reductions in coastal flood hazard under current and future climate conditions. In this study, we applied one-dimensional and two-dimensional numerical coastal engineering models, calibrated and validated using field data, to evaluate the effectiveness of coral restoration scenarios on coastal waves, water levels, and flooding along the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, U.S.A. Model results indicate a small reduction in maximum water levels under the proposed restoration scenarios. This underscores the importance of these endeavors, not only for ecological preservation but also for preventing further reef deterioration. Such preservation is essential for mitigating the increased coastal risks anticipated in the future. Results from this study provide information to guide policymakers and coastal managers in making informed decisions on viable restoration project design options. By systematically evaluating how restoration location impacts coastal flood hazards, communities can develop and implement proactive strategies to mitigate flood-related risk. In addition, by restoring coral reefs, communities can contribute to environmental preservation while ensuring sustainable development and protection of coastal environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1528460/fullcoastal resilienceclimate changerestorationnumerical modelscoral reefflood hazard |
| spellingShingle | Ramin Familkhalili Ramin Familkhalili Curt D. Storlazzi Michael Nemeth Shay Viehman Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico Frontiers in Marine Science coastal resilience climate change restoration numerical models coral reef flood hazard |
| title | Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico |
| title_full | Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico |
| title_short | Assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the San Juan Coastline, Puerto Rico |
| title_sort | assessing the effect of coral reef restoration location on coastal flood hazard along the san juan coastline puerto rico |
| topic | coastal resilience climate change restoration numerical models coral reef flood hazard |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1528460/full |
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